June 7, 2012 10:26am EDTJune 6, 2012 12:27pm EDTHalfway to the Chase, contenders are coming into focus. Some are virtual locks to make the playoffs; others are safe bets. But some big names are in deep trouble.

Safe Bets

Martin Truex Jr.: He hasn’t made the Chase since 2007 and his Michael Waltrip Racing team has never made it. But after a strong start, he is sixth in the standings and 41 points ahead of 11th place. He must guard against complacency and a collapse, but he’s in a good position.

Kevin Harvick: Harvick had fallen to eighth in points during a recent slump, but bounced back with a runner-up finish last week at Dover. He’s finished third in the Chase the past two years and is a good bet to return.

On The Bubble

Kyle Busch: Busch has a win, but got off to a slow start and is ninth in points. He’ll likely win again to put himself in the hunt for at least a wild card, but his inconsistency could keep him on the bubble right up to Chase time.

Clint Bowyer: He’s 10th in points in his first season with Michael Waltrip Racing, and has made the Chase three times in his career. But he has just two top-five finishes and will need to step up to secure a spot.

Carl Edwards: He’s the most shocking name on this list. After leading the standings practically all season last year and nearly winning the championship, he has been off this season. His 26th-place finish at Dover dropped him out of the top 10 in points and he hasn’t won a race in over a year. If he doesn’t pick it up soon, he could wind up missing the Chase a year after nearly winning the championship.

Ryan Newman: He has a win and has made the Chase in two of the past three seasons, but he has slumped badly in the past seven weeks and has fallen to 13th in the standings. He must either win again or find some consistency to get back in.

Kasey Kahne: Kahne got off to a horrendous start in his first year with Hendrick Motorsports, but has rallied with seven straight top-10 finishes, including a win at Charlotte. He could win again and is the biggest threat to the drivers barely hanging on in the top 10.

Long Shots

Paul Menard: He is 15th in points and that’s about where he’s run all season (average finish of 16.1). He won the Brickyard 400 last year, however, and is just consistent enough to sneak in if others falter.

Jeff Gordon: He’s had horrible luck and a miserable season, with just three top-10 finishes. But the four-time champion could reel off two or three wins at any time. At 21st in the standings, his only hope now is a wild card.

Marcos Ambrose: Ambrose also is gunning for a wild card, and he could get it based on his road-course prowess. Ambrose, who won last year at Watkins Glen, could win both of the upcoming road races. Two wins might get him in.

Juan Pablo Montoya: At 20th in the standings, he’s also out of the running for the top 10. But, like Ambrose, he could win both road-course races and should be a contender at Indy.

Needs a Miracle

Joey Logano: He’s never made the Chase and his job may be on the line at Joe Gibbs Racing. At 16th in points, he still has an outside chance to crack the top 10, but must step up big-time. And with Gibbs, a win still is possible.

Jeff Burton: He’s made the Chase in four of the past six years, but had a terrible season last year and is not much better this year. Still, driving for Richard Childress Racing, he could turn it around or win a race.

Aric Almirola: He’s 17th in points in his first season with Richard Petty Motorsports, but has come on strong under new crew chief Mike Ford in the past few weeks. He’s an extreme long shot, but a win might put him in the hunt.

Jamie McMurray: He’s having another tough year at 22nd in points, but Earnhardt Ganassi Racing has been working on overhauling its operation and is expected to be better at some point. He won three races in 2010. If he can somehow recaptured that magic, who knows?

AJ Allmendinger: He was expected to be a contender at Penske Racing, but basically has been terrible. He’s so far back a win might not even help him.

Kurt Busch: He’s a threat (no pun intended) only because he has 24 career victories and could win a race or two at any time. But he’s already 26th in points and will lose more ground this week while serving a one-race suspension (for a threat). Not even Busch can dig himself out of this hole.